Head teachers propose 46 weeks holiday

Head teachers are expected to call for the entire school year to fall within the current six-week summer holidays, at the NAHT union’s annual conference.

They will consider proposals to spread holidays either side of a ‘more streamlined’ academic period, so teachers and children can take more time off outside the summer.

NAHT leader Russell Hobby said the proposal could reduce teacher exhaustion and solve the problem of taking children out of school for unofficial holidays.

“If we cram it all into one small academic block then it will give teachers 46 weeks to get over the stress, reduce truancy, cut utility bills and staffing costs, call a halt to scores of dreary governors’ meetings, save going through the trauma of speaking to thick parents at open evenings and having to ban photography at school nativity plays. It will also save the NHS millions of pounds in valium, mogadon and viagra prescriptions.”

Mr Hobby continued, “Michael Gove has toughened up rules on parents taking their children out of schools at term times for family holidays, so this is an ideal solution. He may even wish to extend the idea to parliament to give the whole country a break.”

A spokesman for tour operator, Thomas Cook said, “We really welcome the idea as it will give us a chance to offer superior quality holiday packages to normal people during the summer. This will include child free beaches and restaurants, tranquil air travel and removing the sight and sound of worn out and bickering parents. We’ll still be hiking prices either side though, it’s a tradition.”